"Nonsense, he's a very fine fellow."

"How do you know?"

"Well, I know this," testily, "that I am not to be instructed as to the
sort of person I can ask to my house."

"Oh, Father, I didn't mean that. Of course you can do as you please."

"Of course I shall, Claudia."

"I think he is charming," said Mrs. Paine. "He has lovely eyes."

"Hasn't he?" said little Becky.




CHAPTER III

THE WOLF IN THE FOREST

I

The Bird Room at Judge Bannister's was back of the library. It was a
big room lined with glass cases. There hung about it always the faint
odor of preservatives. The Trumpeter Swan had a case to himself over
the mantel. He had been rather stiffly posed on a bed of artificial
moss, but nothing could spoil the beauty of him--the white of his